Kelly Plantation Destin

[DeBartola_B]

21 minutes ago, hawkdriver said:

Thanks to the Army, I spent a lot of time at Ft. Rucker, AL (about an hour and a half away from Destin).  We have continued travelling to the Destin/30A area every year for the past 20 years.  There are a few courses that my Dad and I always make sure that we play....and Kelly Plantation is one of them.

Some other good mentions (that have already been brought up):

- Regatta bay

- Camp Creek

- The Hombre

- The Raven

- Windswept Dunes

- Tiger Pointe

Unfortunately The Hombre has permanently closed,  I had played it a handful of times and always enjoyed it.  A tough track for a resort style course.

[TBS]

On 8/13/2021 at 4:52 PM, Ben_Howell34 said:

Got to play it today. Was very nice and a fun track. Fairways and greens rolled very well. Lots of water as the guys before mentioned. A few scenic holes as well which is always fun. However the course in my opinion did not justify the price tag of $160. I have definitely played better courses for less. 
 

The layout was not super tough besides having to be wary of water. However there was definitely a difference in being in the fairway and not which made hitting fairways a priority. In contrast the greens were very tough with a lot of tough pin placements.  I actually 4 putted a par 5 number 6 where I had a GIR and the pin was on a ridge and I was playing hockey with it seemingly. To my recollection I have never 4 putted before. 
 

Overall a great course and had a fun time (will post about the round more in “How’d You Play?”) but not sure I’d play again unless the price gets closer to $100. 

I agree with this completely. There are a few interesting holes but overall a pretty basic Florida course. I found that Regatta Bay was much more enjoyable with a good mix of holes and you had to use every club in your bag.

I also really like Windswept Dunes. Windswept Dunes should be a model for courses. With so many tee boxes, it played perfect when I played with my sister who has only been playing for a year. Easy enough for her but still challenging enough for me. It's also a great example how wide fairways and sparingly using rough still requires strategy.

[TBS]

1 hour ago, DeBartola_B said:

Unfortunately The Hombre has permanently closed,  I had played it a handful of times and always enjoyed it.  A tough track for a resort style course.

East of Sanddestin to PCB is really hurting for a good public course. 

[Forbes]

I play there every summer when I am in destin. Have played all the other courses over the years and Kelly is my favorite. 

[DeBartola_B]

15 hours ago, TBS said:

East of Sanddestin to PCB is really hurting for a good public course. 

Camp Creek is in the process of building a 'Golf Village' and with it will come an additional course.  I believe they are attempting to create a golf stay and play location that will have access to Camp Creek, Origins, Shark Tooth and the new course they plan to build.  Construction is well underway and I agree is a much needed option, hopefully they will allow some tee times for people not staying on property, but I am not hopeful that will be the case.

[TBS]

59 minutes ago, DeBartola_B said:

Camp Creek is in the process of building a 'Golf Village' and with it will come an additional course.  I believe they are attempting to create a golf stay and play location that will have access to Camp Creek, Origins, Shark Tooth and the new course they plan to build.  Construction is well underway and I agree is a much needed option, hopefully they will allow some tee times for people not staying on property, but I am not hopeful that will be the case.

Yeah I hope so too. Last summer, I sent the Pro an email asking about playing (just a shot in the dark). He said they were slammed and could barely get all of their members on. I also heard that Camp Creek is quoting quite a premium if you can get a tee time (making Kelly and Regatta seem like a steal for their rates). I have heard that it is definitely one of if not the nicest course.

Great for that area, though. Developers definitely saw a need and are meeting it. I bet lots are selling quick! 

[Mtbryant01]

On 5/11/2022 at 4:39 PM, TBS said:

I agree with this completely. There are a few interesting holes but overall a pretty basic Florida course. I found that Regatta Bay was much more enjoyable with a good mix of holes and you had to use every club in your bag.

I also really like Windswept Dunes. Windswept Dunes should be a model for courses. With so many tee boxes, it played perfect when I played with my sister who has only been playing for a year. Easy enough for her but still challenging enough for me. It's also a great example how wide fairways and sparingly using rough still requires strategy.

I’m out here today and just got done at Windswept. Love playing here when I visit for the week at the beach. Course is in fantastic shape. 5-6 tee boxes to pick from and always a fun challenge!

Like some have mentioned, I wish there were a couple more comparable options in price over in the Seagrove/Seacrest area as I don’t want to pay $300 for Camp Creek or Sharks Tooth.

 

[vandyland]

I am headed to Destin next week and since I have two small kids I have to play close to where we stay (Tops'l - Miramar). As such, Windswept is off the table. I typically play at Baytowne since it is across the street. I am finally going to test the waters at the Links of Sandestin. I always look at it on Google Earth and decide it looks WAY too tight off the tee but I am going to bite the bullet and play out there this time. I have played all the Destin courses and this time I just playing some of the less expensive courses so it is going to be Links, Baytowne and Emerald Bay. I have a soft spot for Emerald Bay because I lit it up one time (made 6 birdies out there) and so I ignore a lot of its short comings (pace of play out there is typically awful). Baytowne is fine, nothing exceptional but I always enjoy it. So the Links is really the wildcard. I legitimately may not hit Driver once out there...it just doesn't seem worth it. The 18th hole at the Links also looks incredibly intimidating. I mean...there is no where to miss on your approach. It is like a golf designed in a lab to be insanely penal. Check this out:

 

Edited May 16, 2022 by vandyland

[GaDawg]

On 5/11/2022 at 4:15 PM, DeBartola_B said:

Unfortunately The Hombre has permanently closed,  I had played it a handful of times and always enjoyed it.  A tough track for a resort style course.

Agree. It officially closed after the last major hurricane, going on 3 years I believe.

[GaDawg]

On 5/12/2022 at 10:18 AM, TBS said:

Yeah I hope so too. Last summer, I sent the Pro an email asking about playing (just a shot in the dark). He said they were slammed and could barely get all of their members on. I also heard that Camp Creek is quoting quite a premium if you can get a tee time (making Kelly and Regatta seem like a steal for their rates). I have heard that it is definitely one of if not the nicest course.

Great for that area, though. Developers definitely saw a need and are meeting it. I bet lots are selling quick! 

I don't see where St Joe building another course or opening a "Golf Village" is going to help anything unless you are staying on a St. Joe property. The price to play any of their courses, if available, will be outrageous. We owned a home on the gulf side of 30A about 4 miles from Camp Creek for over 10 years and sold it 14 months ago. People have very very little access to the beaches due to the private beach situation. Things have changed so much in this area over the last 3 years, it just became a chore just to go. Golf is a lot better and priced more affordable in other areas of Florida.

[Mtbryant01]

22 minutes ago, vandyland said:

I am headed to Destin next week and since I have two small kids I have to play close to where we stay (Tops'l - Miramar). As such, Windswept is off the table. I typically play at Baytowne since it is across the street. I am finally going to test the waters at the Links of Sandestin. I always look at it on Google Earth and decide it looks WAY too tight off the tee but I am going to bite the bullet and play out there this time. I have played all the Destin courses and this time I just playing some of the less expensive courses so it is going to be Links, Baytowne and Emerald Bay. I have a soft spot for Emerald Bay because I lit it up one time (made 6 birdies out there) and so I ignore a lot of its short comings (pace of play out there is typically awful). Baytowne is fine, nothing exceptional but I always enjoy it. So the Links is really the wildcard. I legitimately may not hit Driver once out there...it just doesn't seem worth it. The 18th hole at the Links also looks incredibly intimidating. I mean...there is no where to miss on your approach. It is like a golf designed in a lab to be insanely penal. Check this out:

 

Only reason I didn’t play in Destin/Sandestin area this past week was that a lot of the courses just went through punching the greens and I didn’t want to pinball my way to the hole. Not sure if Links of Sandestin did or not, can’t remember seeing it on the website.

[vandyland]

Just now, Mtbryant01 said:

Not sure if Links of Sandestin did or not, can’t remember seeing it on the website

They did. Next week is the last week of "post-aerification" pricing so I can see how bad it is. I would imagine since it is bermuda and several weeks out from aerification it shouldn't be too bad. At $55 for 18 holes that is a pretty good deal for Destin. Again, I am mostly worried about all the trouble that exists on Links in the form of water and close set houses. 

 

@Mtbryant01have you ever played Links before? If so, is it painfully tight like it looks?

[DeBartola_B]

13 minutes ago, vandyland said:

I am headed to Destin next week and since I have two small kids I have to play close to where we stay (Tops'l - Miramar). As such, Windswept is off the table. I typically play at Baytowne since it is across the street. I am finally going to test the waters at the Links of Sandestin. I always look at it on Google Earth and decide it looks WAY too tight off the tee but I am going to bite the bullet and play out there this time. I have played all the Destin courses and this time I just playing some of the less expensive courses so it is going to be Links, Baytowne and Emerald Bay. I have a soft spot for Emerald Bay because I lit it up one time (made 6 birdies out there) and so I ignore a lot of its short comings (pace of play out there is typically awful). Baytowne is fine, nothing exceptional but I always enjoy it. So the Links is really the wildcard. I legitimately may not hit Driver once out there...it just doesn't seem worth it. The 18th hole at the Links also looks incredibly intimidating. I mean...there is no where to miss on your approach. It is like a golf designed in a lab to be insanely penal. Check this out:

 

The Links is the course I grew up playing at the beach.  I prefer Baytowne basically every time but to save some money The Links is a nice course, it is a tight track but there are a few holes on the Bay Side of the property totally on the water which are really fun to play, probably worth playing for these holes alone.  Its not as well kept up as Baytowne or The Raven but worth a play if you have never done so.

[Mtbryant01]

7 minutes ago, vandyland said:

@Mtbryant01have you ever played Links before? If so, is it painfully tight like it looks?

I have not but looks like a fun challenging track. Take some pics and report back how hard those holes are along the water!

[rga68]

Played Kelly Plantation several years ago in July, the course was in very good shape. The only problem was the heat & humidity it was so bad the course had staff driving around handing out cold water and towels to make sure no one suffered a heat stroke! If it is in the 90+ degrees hydrate up with water & have a great round of golf! 

[KRK]

Phenomenal. If the wind is up play one more forward tee. You will have a great time. The course is not as laid back as it’s designer

[br63]

I winter in Destin.  There are many very good courses there and Kelly is my favorite.  Roomy fairways and new greens as of 2019.  It is always in very good condition in the winter and I would assume the same now.  Very good range and short game area, as well.  Enjoy yourself.

[in3948]

Yes. I have played Kelly Plantation.  It’s on the bay so get some nice views. It was in good condition when I played.  Have a good time. 

[GolfNut14]

I played Kelly Plantation for the first time on Monday May 9th, 2022 after going to Destin area the last 16 years. I would not pay more that $100 to play there and that is why we played mis afternoon when the rates were cheaper. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The course was in good condition, but you could tell they had recently sodded the tees. Enjoyed the round playing with my sons and brother in law. Glad I finally played Kelly Plantation , but might pick Regatta Bay over Kelly next time.